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The subject of consolidated financial statement is quite old. It did not change much until the last few years. Rees and Janes (2012,) provided the most detailed review of the literature in the past. It started in 1944 under Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) 24 Chapter 5, paragraphs 6, 8 and 9. At that time, it was concerned with only the purchased goodwill. The asset value solely depends on the price paid and may not be amortized until it has been impaired. In other words, no amortization period was specified.
In 1970 under APB No. 16, paragraphs 18-20, it provided that any goodwill must be amortized over no more than 40 years. In 2001 under FASB No. 141, paragraph 7, it provides that goodwill is not amortized but subject to an impairment test. It means there is no amortization period. Goodwill can go on forever, unless it has been impaired. Lange and Formaro (2014,) offer the most comprehensive review.
Up to this point, goodwill represents only the parent company, but not the noncontrolling interest. In 2009 under FASB No. 141R, paragraph 34, the measurement of goodwill now must include not only the parent but also the noncontrolling interest. PriceWaterhouse provides many examples to show how to determine goodwill in real-world practice. It shows that goodwill is an intangible asset that can bring in profit for the entire enterprise, but cannot be identified. The concept of consolidation is shifted from the parent company theory to the entity theory. In terms of amortization period, it stays at an unlimited life. In other words, goodwill is only subject to the impairment test when circumstance dictates.
In 2011 FASB issued ASU 2011-08. It allows the enterprise to perform a “qualitative test” to determine the likelihood that goodwill has indeed been impaired. In 2012 FASB further issued ASU 2012-02. It now requires the entity to conduct a “quantitative test” in determining whether goodwill has been impaired. Based on the result, the losses can be recognized.
In 2014 FASB further issued ASU 2014-02. It allows the private business entity to use an alternative period of 10 years for the amortization of goodwill. As it stands now, most public held enterprises are not required to amortize goodwill.
In the past decade, it was rather appalling to observe that the goodwill amortization period has been changing from zero to 40 years to zero again and finally to 10 years. It raises the question as to what guiding principle, if any, has the FASB been following. By the same token, it also clearly demonstrates the degree of complexity on the subject of goodwill.
In 2009 the entire subject of consolidation took a turn for the worse. Under FASB No. 141R, it changed the treatment of noncontrolling interest from a liability to equity. Bahnson,et al (2008), pointed out the wrong treatment in the past. However, it leads to the concept that goodwill must include both the parent and the noncontrolling interest. Consequently, the noncontrolling interest must also include goodwill. Worse yet, if the parent acquired the subsidiary in many different stages, the consolidation process becomes even more complicated. That is where it stands now.